as in homage
a show of respect or acknowledgement of the authority or importance of another
They made obeisance before the king and queen. She earned herself some political enemies when she failed to make the proper obeisance to those in power.
Related Words
Relevance
Dissimilar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of obeisance
After a decade of seemingly supine obeisance, there is no obvious reason why the military leadership would suddenly rouse itself to oppose Xi.
—
Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025
Visitors who fail to perform the requisite display of obeisance have faced consequences, as in the Feb. 28 blowup with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
—Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025
But Zuckerberg isn’t the only one paying abject obeisance to the president.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam.
—Brendan Cole
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obeisance
Jonathan A. Czin, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2025
Visitors who fail to perform the requisite display of obeisance have faced consequences, as in the Feb. 28 blowup with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
—Massimo Calabresi, Time, 24 July 2025
But Zuckerberg isn’t the only one paying abject obeisance to the president.
—Max Taves, Mercury News, 11 July 2025
In the first case, Obama was accused of showing obeisance to a foreign ruler and Islam.
—Brendan Cole
shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 13 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for obeisance
Recent Examples of Synonyms for obeisance
Noun
-
While getting ready in the Greyfield Inn (where the wedding reception was held and guests stayed), the costume designer put Pidgeon in a vintage Calvin Klein slip dress, a subtle homage to Bessett Kennedy’s days at the company.—
Payton Turkeltaub,
Variety,
6 Mar. 2026
-
In practice, that means a Latin steakhouse (Leña), a Mexican and Peruvian spot (Corteza), an homage to Buenos Aires (Volante), and an Agave Library for a tequila or mezcal to finish off the night.—
Tim Chester,
Robb Report,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Straight talk invites mutual respect and steadier cooperation.—
Tarot.com,
The Orlando Sentinel,
9 Mar. 2026
-
Being a good role model shows your child how to behave with kindness, honesty, and respect.—
Barrie Gillies,
Parents,
9 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
One Windsor man was there to see all of it, and on Saturday, he was honored with a vintage military salute for his 105th birthday.—
John Ramos,
CBS News,
8 Mar. 2026
-
Continuing the Beethoven salute is Lang Lang, performing all five piano concertos across three concerts with Paavo Järvi (March 24-27, 2027).—
Hannah Edgar,
Chicago Tribune,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
From the eastern side, The Garland is a great choice for lodging, with retro-chic decor that’s a nod to the quintessential California culture of the 60s and 70s.—
Kristine Thomason,
Outside,
9 Mar. 2026
-
This bridal shower dress acts as a sweet nod to my wedding weekend, and the celebrations that are just around the corner.—
Alexandra Ditch,
Vogue,
8 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
Between the patent leather toe cap and the dainty bow, these pretty burgundy ballet flats are all about adorable details.—
Jordan Julian,
InStyle,
5 Mar. 2026
-
The bow features a massive full moon while moonbeams, clouds, birds and signs of the Zodiac branch out across the entire length of the side of the ship.—
Richard Tribou,
The Orlando Sentinel,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
The defense secretary appears unable to approach matters of of life and death with even the slightest bit of reverence or humility.—
Peter Wehner,
The Atlantic,
6 Mar. 2026
-
And that still doesn’t feel low enough, as there’s still some reverence reserved for the team’s prior track record.—
Dom Luszczyszyn,
New York Times,
5 Mar. 2026
Noun
-
But for Coles, his indoctrination to law enforcement has been a different level of submissiveness.—
Dan Pompei,
New York Times,
2 Dec. 2025
-
In Killers of the Flower Moon, his Ernest Burkhart starts off as a mopey, weak-minded World War One veteran, eager to do anything for his godfather uncle (Robert De Niro), but there’s still a certain likability to his dim-bulb submissiveness.—
Bilge Ebiri,
Vulture,
2 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Obeisance.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/obeisance. Accessed 12 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
